Happy spring! A sure sign that warmer days are ahead is the return of the majestic Purple Martin. The largest North American swallow, these aerial acrobats are entertaining to watch as they swoop and dive in the air feasting on pesky insects—beetles, flies, dragonflies, midges, mayflies, bees, stinkbugs, cicadas, flying ants, damselflies, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, and wasps.
How can you attract Martins to your yard and reap the benefits of these beautiful birds? Martins do not require feeders or baths like other backyard birds. They ONLY eat insects and drink from ponds, streams and rivers while in flight. However, they have come to depend on man almost exclusively for their housing. If you keep the Martin houses well maintained and cleaned, they will come back year after year, often bringing their offspring back to breed in houses nearby.
Think about the location of your Martin housing—leave plenty of space between their house and nearby trees. A source of water such as a lake or pond within 2 miles will also help entice the birds to nest in your backyard. One of your jobs as landlord is to make sure predators such as raccoons don’t get to the houses. Finally, select the type of housing that’s right for you and your yard—a sturdy, quality purple martin house or gourd from Gardens Alive! will make returning Martins feel right at home.